The “Early Bird Program” is a support group facilitated by child and family health nurses and offered to families of infants aged 0–8 weeks in South East Sydney, Australia. This paper describes the experiences of 20 women who participated in the Early Bird groups and
20 women who chose to use individual consultations with the child and family health nurse. The qualitative evaluation used focus groups and interviews with the 40 women, and data were analysed using content analysis. Key findings show the Early Bird Program mothers received support and knowledge
from both the nurses and each other, while the women who utilised the individual consultations with the nurses sought out and received specific services and information that focused on the baby. The group approach appears to promote group relationships and to empower mothers as a group by
de-emphasising the power and expertise of the professional.

Affiliations:1:
Sue Kruske is a certified nurse midwife at the Centre for Family Health and Midwifery in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 2:
Virginia Schmied is deputy director of the Centre for Family Health and Midwifery at the University of Technology, Sydney, Australia. 3:
Ivy Sutton is a child and family health nurse at St. George Child and Family Health Services for the South East Sydney Area Health Service. 4:
Joan O'Hare is a nurse unit manager at St. George Child and Family Health Services for the South East Sydney Area Health Service.

Publication date: 2004-06-01

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The Journal of Perinatal Education is the official journal of Lamaze International, whose mission is to promote, support, and protect natural, safe, and healthy birth through education and advocacy. The journal publishes peer-reviewed articles and evidence-based, practical resources that childbirth educators and other health care professionals can use to enhance the quality and effectiveness of their care or teaching to prepare expectant parents for birth.